Rev. Janine Dekker and our congregation of family and friends extend to you a warm greeting and a sincere, 'Thank you!' for visiting our web site today. We invite you to find out more about our church. If you do not have a church home, please consider joining us in our worship and service.

Who Are We?

Laurel Lea St. Matthew's Presbyterian Church was formed by an amalgamation of Laurel Lea Presbyterian Church and St. Matthew's Presbyterian Church. The Laurel Lea congregation was formed in 1949 out of a 1946 Mission Sunday School started by Paterson Memorial Presbyterian Church. The Sunday School was held at Meadowlea Public School. In addition to Sunday School, worship services were started in 1947. A church building was constructed in 1949, and fully opened in 1955. St. Matthew's Presbyterian Church was established in March 1956, formed out of a 1954 Sunday School mission at the Queen Elizabeth II school. Worship services for the parents began in January 1956. Land for a new church was purchased in "Coronation Park" in 1955 by St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Sarnia. Work on the construction of a church building began in August 1956. The dedication was on December 2, 1956. The cornerstone for a new church was laid and on June 1, 1973, the two congregations of Laurel Lea and St. Matthew's amalgamated to become Laurel Lea St. Matthew's Presbyterian Church.

The Bluewater Ceili Band is performing at Germain Park on Thursday, Aug. 16 @ 7:00 p.m. It is composed of a guitarist, Tessa Catton (flute), Caitlin Mason and 3 other fiddlers and a bodhran (Irish frame drum) player. Bring your lawn chair. Concert is rain or shine and will be in the Strangway Centre if it is raining.

WOMEN'S FALL RETREAT

Hosted by Rev. Dr. Karen Horst, November 9th-11th at Crieff Hills Retreat and Conference Centre near Guelph. Women of all ages are welcome. Retreat begins with Friday dinner and ends after Sunday lunch. Cost is $245.00 for double room, $305.00 single room and $180.00 commuter rate. Please see retreat brochure online. Call to register 800-884-1525 or www.crieffhills.com

LLSM PULPIT SUPPLY SCHEDULE

Sunday August 19th, 2018: Dr. Robert Walker

LLSM MEAT PIES

We are currently sold out. $415.60 has been deposited to the Operating Account. Plans are being made for turkey, ground beef and tortiere (pork) pies for the fall. Still a bargain at $2.50!

LLSM SINGERS WANTED

Everyone is welcome to take part. The Praise team practises the second and fourth Sunday of each month right after worship service for 15 minutes.

NEW LLSM FIRE MARSHALL

Please be aware that Brent Kershaw is LLSM'S new Fire Marshall appointed by the Board of Managers. Many thanks to Donna Graham for all her years of commitment in this role.

LLSM KINTAIL ON THE ROAD (KOTR) SUMMER BIBLE CAMP 2018

21 children attended. Many thanks to the LLSM congregation for your wonderful support. Tuition fees totaled $555.00. A complete financial report will be published in a future LLSM Bulletin/Newsletter. The program, “Water of Life,” was wonderful. New songs were learned and new friends/connections were made through this outreach. It was a great camp week.

SARNIA BEGINNING EXPERIENCE SUPPORT GROUP

Are you stuck in grief due to being widowed, separated or divorced? The “Coping With Life Alone” support program begins Monday August 13, 2018. Also, a weekend for widowed, separated and divorced persons is happening October 12-14, 2018. For more information regarding either program call 519-337-1205 and/or visit www.sarniabeginningexperience.org

LLSM WEEKLY BULLETIN VIA EMAIL

LLSM Session has decided to email LLSM members the weekly Sunday Bulletin in order to be kept aware of LLSM announcements, meetings and events. LLSM newsletters will also be delivered in this manner. All LLSM members may still receive paper copies at their choice.

Our Presbytery Representative is Rev. Becky Roushorne-Lau, the minister of St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Sarnia. Rev. Becky is overseeing LLSM while Pastor Janine is on medical leave. For pastoral care, please contact your Elder who will then contact Rev. Becky.

LLSM WEEKLY BULLETIN & NEWSLETTER

LLSM is grateful to Diane Keck for volunteering to take care of the LLSM weekly bulletin and the LLSM newsletter. Please deliver announcements to the LLSM office before Thursday each week via pony express, voicemail (519) 337-7078, or email llsm@cogeco.net

ATTENTION LLSM SENIORS

THINKING OF MOVING?

Conveniently located in Corunna, close to banks, grocery stores, a library, drug stores and restaurants, Thompson Gardens provides reasonably priced studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom apartments on a life-lease basis. Owned by the Moore Presbyterian Foundation, Presbyterian church members are especially invited to consider Thompson Gardens as a future residence. For more information, go to: www.thompsongardens.com, or phone 519-862-2629 to make an appointment to visit.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to all who donate spare coins to the LLSM operating fund. We will continue to accept these donations on an ongoing basis. Please note your envelope number on your change donations for income tax purposes.

LLSM FUNDRAISER IDEAS NEEDED

Please submit fundraising suggestions to the LLSM Board of Managers.

LLSM PARISH NURSE

BONNIE SLAGER

LLSM Session is pleased to introduce Bonnie Slager, our Parish Nurse. Bonnie is a registered nurse and a licensed Parish Nurse. She is an answer to prayer in many ways. A Parish Nurse (or Faith Community Nurse) is a visible symbol of a congregation's healing and health ministry. She works with the minister, health committee, and the congregation to fulfill the healing mission of a church as a health advisor/educator, advocate/resource person, liaison to faith community resources, teacher of volunteers and developer of support groups. Please contact Bonnie through the church office (519) 337-7078 or direct at (519) 384-9538.

"YIPS"

Paterson Memorial Presbyterian Church, St. Giles Prebyterian Church and LLSM have collaborated to form a youth group for those in grades 7-12. We are using a name St. Giles was already using: "YIPS" – Youth Involvement Presbyterian Style. The youth leaders of each congregation take turns in leading the various fun activities.